Reference Library
IRO SAR Test
Reference for RH-FL area and RH-T rubble tests, levels V/A/B: procedure, scoring and exercise details. Updated for the binding IRO clarification of 25 August 2026.
Start here: scope, entry, scoring and V/A/B programmes
Start Here — IRO Area and Rubble Tests
Section references identify the official rules; they are not exercise-order numbers.
Obedience & Dexterity
§3.1–3.3.3
General Rules — Obedience & Dexterity (UO/GW)
General (TJ authority)
Dog Handler (DH) Evaluation
Dog (D) Evaluation
Audio Commands / Visual Commands (AC/VC)
§3.3.4
Reporting In and Social Behaviour
Setup and commands
Execution
Evaluation
Sources
§3.3.5
On-Leash Heeling (V) / Off-Leash Heeling (A, B)
Permitted AC/VC
Execution
Evaluation — Faults
Sources
§3.3.6
Sit in Motion with Recall
Permitted AC/VC
Execution
Evaluation — Faults
Sources
§3.3.7
Distance Control
Sequences
Permitted AC/VC
Execution
Rule: Distance Violation
§3.3.8
Change of Position
Testing Area
Permitted AC/VC
Execution
Evaluation — Faults
§3.3.9
Carry and Hand-Over
Setup
Permitted AC/VC (Level V)
Execution — Level V
Execution — Level A and B
§3.3.10
Retrieve on the Flat
Retrieve Article
Level A vs. B
Permitted AC/VC
Execution
§3.3.11
Directability at Distance
Testing Area
Permitted AC/VC — Level V
Permitted AC/VC — Level A and B
Sequence and execution
§3.3.12
Down Under Distraction
Setup
Permitted AC/VC
Execution — Common Start
Level Differences
§3.3.13
Tunnel with Tube
Obstacle Spec
Permitted AC/VC
Execution
Evaluation — Faults
§3.3.14
Traversing an Elevated Rigid Wooden Board
Obstacle Spec
Permitted AC/VC
Execution
Evaluation — Critical Rules
§3.3.15
Unstable Plank
Obstacle Spec
Permitted AC/VC
Execution
Evaluation — Faults
§3.3.16
Horizontal Ladder
Obstacle Spec
Permitted AC/VC
Execution
Evaluation — Critical Rules
§3.3.17
Swing
Obstacle Spec
Permitted AC/VC
Execution
Evaluation — Critical Rules
Nosework & Alerts
§3.4.1–3.4.3
Nosework — General Procedures
DH Readiness
Reporting In
Victims (VP)
Tactical Situation
§3.4.4
Alerts — Full Description: D, DH, and TJ Roles
Before Any Nose Work — Declaration
During the Search — When the D Finds a VP
Alert Types — Execution Details
Separate Alert Exercise — Timing and Finish
§5–5.3
Area Search (RH – FL)
General Rules
Victims (VP) Placement
FL V — Area Search Pre-test
FL A — Area Search A
§6–6.3
Rubble Search (RH – T)
General Rules
Evaluation Criteria — Dog
T V — Rubble Pre-test
T A — Rubble A
Judge View
§2.6
Quick Reference — Hard Stops & Fixed Deductions
Hard Stops (Instant Outcomes)
Fixed Point Deductions
Sources
§2.2–2.3
Procedure — Reporting In/Out, Between Exercises
Before the First Exercise
After the Last Exercise
Temperament Observation
Between Exercises
§3.3
Structural Rules for TJ
Before the Exercise
During Heeling
During Down Under Distraction
During Nosework
§3.3
What to Watch: UO Exercises
Heeling
Sit in Motion
Distance Control
Change of Position
§3.4
What to Watch: Nosework
Tactic (DH)
Alert Quality
False Alerts
VP Not Found
§2.6–3.2
Outcomes and Scoring
0 Points vs. Insufficient — What's the Difference?
Warning / Termination / Disqualification
Scoring Reminders
Sources
§2.2–2.3
Leash Rules — Full Map
UO/GW
Nosework — Reporting In to TJ
Nosework — During Search and Between VPs
Rubble Special Case — Pre-Search Perimeter Walk
§2.2
Praise, Contact and Aids
Between obedience/dexterity exercises
Nosework start and restart
During search and alert
Water, equipment and rewards
§1.2
Abbreviations
Roles and Participants
Disciplines (RH = Rettungshund)
Exercise Elements
Exercise Phase and Scoring Phases